Outdoor Activities for Aunts, Uncles & Kids

Discover fun outdoor activities for kids of all ages, from hiking, biking and camping to fishing, nature walks, picnics, sports, scavenger hunts, gardening, geocaching and stargazing.

You don't need a big vacation or an elaborate itinerary to have an outdoor adventure.

Sometimes all it takes is a little fresh air, a few hours and someone you love spending time with.

A neighborhood walk can become a scavenger hunt. A trip to the park can become an afternoon of exploring. A backyard can become a campsite. A quiet evening can turn into a stargazing adventure.

At Funcles & Faunties™, we're here to help aunts, uncles, Funcles, Faunties and other special adults find fun ways to get outside and make memories with the kids in their lives.

Whether you're looking for a free activity, a weekend adventure, a way to burn off some energy or something new to try together, there's an outdoor activity for almost every age, interest and budget.

You don't have to go far. You just have to go.

What Are Good Outdoor Activities for Kids?

The best outdoor activities give kids opportunities to move, explore, discover, create, learn and have fun.

Depending on their age and interests, try:

  • Hiking

  • Biking

  • Camping

  • Fishing

  • Nature walks

  • Picnics

  • Sports

  • Playground adventures

  • Scavenger hunts

  • Gardening

  • Geocaching

  • Stargazing

  • Outdoor games

  • Photography walks

  • Beach adventures

  • Exploring parks

  • Bird watching

  • Nature crafts

  • Outdoor cooking

  • Water play

The activity doesn't have to be complicated.

A walk around the block can become an adventure when you change the way you look at it.

Outdoor Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

For ages 2–4, outdoor activities should give young children plenty of opportunities to move, explore and use their senses.

Try:

  • Playground visits

  • Nature walks

  • Bubble play

  • Sidewalk chalk

  • Backyard scavenger hunts

  • Looking for bugs

  • Watching birds

  • Collecting leaves

  • Water play

  • Gardening

  • Teddy bear picnics

  • Outdoor storytime

  • Simple nature crafts

  • Ball games

  • Cloud watching

Let them stop and investigate.

A rock can be fascinating.

A bug can become an hour-long conversation.

A puddle can become the greatest adventure of the day.

[Explore Activities for Ages 2–4 →]

Outdoor Activities for Ages 4–6

Kids ages 4–6 are ready to become more active participants in outdoor adventures.

Try:

  • Nature scavenger hunts

  • Playground adventures

  • Short hikes

  • Gardening

  • Bike rides

  • Picnics

  • Outdoor crafts

  • Bug hunts

  • Nature photography

  • Sports

  • Simple camping

  • Geocaching with adult guidance

  • Park adventures

  • Sidewalk chalk games

  • Outdoor treasure hunts

Give them choices whenever possible.

"Do you want to explore the trail or have a picnic first?"

Small choices can make an activity feel like their adventure.

[Explore Activities for Ages 4–6 →]

Outdoor Activities for Ages 6–8

Kids in this age group are ready for bigger adventures and new skills.

Try:

  • Hiking

  • Camping

  • Fishing

  • Biking

  • Geocaching

  • Sports

  • Nature photography

  • Gardening

  • Scavenger hunts

  • Outdoor cooking

  • Bird watching

  • Exploring new parks

  • Day trips

  • Stargazing

  • Treasure hunts

This is also a great age to start teaching practical outdoor skills.

Let them help pack a picnic.

Show them how to read a simple trail map.

Teach them how to identify plants or animals.

Give them a small job at the campsite.

[Explore Activities for Ages 6–8 →]

Outdoor Activities for Ages 8–10

Older elementary-age kids often enjoy outdoor activities that involve challenge, independence and discovery.

Try:

  • Hiking adventures

  • Geocaching

  • Camping

  • Fishing

  • Biking

  • Photography

  • Sports

  • Nature challenges

  • Scavenger hunts

  • Outdoor cooking

  • Building projects

  • Day trips

  • Stargazing

  • Exploring new trails

  • Volunteer projects

Turn an ordinary outing into a challenge:

Who can spot the most birds?

Can you navigate us to the next location?

Who can take the best nature photo?

Can we identify five different plants?

Can you help plan our picnic?

[Explore Activities for Ages 8–10 →]

Outdoor Activities for Tweens

Tweens may be ready to move beyond traditional playground activities.

Look for experiences that give them more independence and let them make choices.

Try:

  • Hiking

  • Camping

  • Geocaching

  • Biking

  • Beach days

  • Photography

  • Fishing

  • Kayaking where age-appropriate

  • Sporting events

  • Outdoor concerts

  • Day trips

  • Nature challenges

  • Thrift-and-picnic adventures

  • Stargazing

  • Exploring a new town

Ask them to choose the destination, plan the route or pick the activity.

Sometimes letting them plan the adventure is the adventure.

[Explore Activities for Tweens →]

Outdoor Activities for Teens

Teenagers may not want traditional children's activities, but many still enjoy getting outside when the experience feels independent and interesting.

Try:

  • Hiking

  • Camping

  • Road trips

  • Beach days

  • Fishing

  • Biking

  • Photography

  • Stargazing

  • Geocaching

  • Kayaking or paddleboarding where appropriate

  • Sporting events

  • Outdoor concerts

  • Exploring a new city

  • Scenic drives

  • Volunteering

  • Outdoor cooking

You can also simply grab drinks, go for a walk and see where the conversation goes.

[Explore Activities for Teens →]

Hiking With Your Niece or Nephew

Hiking doesn't have to mean climbing a mountain.

Choose a trail that matches the child's age and ability and turn the walk into an exploration.

Look for:

  • Interesting rocks

  • Birds

  • Flowers

  • Trees

  • Animal tracks

  • Bugs

  • Interesting sounds

  • Water

  • Scenic views

For younger children, keep the hike short and flexible.

For older kids and teens, consider making the hike part of a bigger adventure.

Bring snacks.

Take photos.

Stop to explore.

And let them set the pace when appropriate.

The destination isn't always the point.

Biking Adventures

Bike rides can turn a regular afternoon into an adventure.

Try:

  • Neighborhood rides

  • Park trails

  • Bike paths

  • Scenic routes

  • Bike-and-picnic outings

  • Destination rides

  • Family bike challenges

For younger children, choose safe, age-appropriate areas and use appropriate protective equipment.

For older kids, let them help choose the route.

You could even create a tradition of exploring one new bike route every month.

Camping With Kids

Camping can become one of those childhood experiences they remember for years.

You don't have to start with a remote wilderness trip.

Try:

Backyard Camping

Set up a tent in the backyard, make snacks and spend the evening outside.

Car Camping

Choose an accessible campground and keep the trip simple.

Camping Adventure

For older kids and teens, involve them in planning, packing, cooking and setting up camp.

Try:

  • Campfire stories where permitted

  • Stargazing

  • Hiking

  • Outdoor games

  • Camp cooking

  • Nature walks

  • Photography

  • Scavenger hunts

Give everyone a job.

Then let the adventure unfold.

Fishing With Your Niece or Nephew

Fishing can be as much about the experience as catching anything.

Depending on age and location, spend the day:

  • Learning how fishing works

  • Exploring the shoreline

  • Watching wildlife

  • Eating snacks

  • Taking photos

  • Talking

  • Practicing patience

And if nobody catches anything?

You still spent the day together.

That's not a bad adventure.

Nature Walks & Scavenger Hunts

You don't need a hiking trail to explore nature.

Walk around your neighborhood, visit a park or explore your backyard.

Create a simple scavenger hunt.

Look for:

  • Something red

  • A feather

  • A smooth rock

  • A flower

  • A bird

  • A bug

  • Something that smells good

  • Something shaped like a circle

  • Something bigger than your hand

  • Something you've never noticed before

For younger children, use pictures.

For older kids, make the challenge more difficult.

Picnic Adventures

A picnic can be as simple or elaborate as you want.

Pack:

  • Sandwiches

  • Fruit

  • Snacks

  • Drinks

  • A blanket

  • A favorite game

Then head to:

  • A park

  • The beach

  • A hiking trail

  • Your backyard

  • A scenic overlook

  • A botanical garden where permitted

Let your niece or nephew choose the menu.

Or make the food together before you leave.

A picnic is proof that an ordinary meal can become an experience.

Gardening With Kids

Gardening gives children an opportunity to get their hands dirty while learning about nature.

Depending on their age, let them:

  • Choose seeds

  • Plant flowers

  • Water plants

  • Pull weeds with supervision

  • Observe insects

  • Measure growth

  • Harvest vegetables

  • Decorate pots

  • Create a small herb garden

You could even plant something together every year.

Take a photo.

Watch it grow.

And create a tradition.

Geocaching Adventures

Geocaching can turn a walk into a treasure hunt.

Kids get to search for hidden caches while practicing observation, navigation and problem-solving skills.

It can be especially fun for older elementary kids, tweens and teens.

Make the adventure bigger by adding:

  • A picnic

  • A hike

  • Photography

  • A new park

  • A favorite snack afterward

Always follow local rules, respect private property and leave natural areas as you found them.

Stargazing With Kids

You don't need a telescope to enjoy the night sky.

Choose a clear evening and head outside.

Bring:

  • Blankets

  • Pillows

  • Snacks

  • Warm drinks

  • A flashlight

Then look for:

  • The moon

  • Bright stars

  • Constellations

  • Planets when visible

  • Shooting stars

For older kids, learn about constellations together.

For younger children, make up stories about what you see.

You don't have to know everything about the sky to wonder at it together.

Outdoor Sports & Games

Sports can be a great way to spend time together without making the activity overly serious.

Try:

  • Soccer

  • Basketball

  • Baseball

  • Football

  • Tennis

  • Volleyball

  • Frisbee

  • Kickball

  • Catch

  • Mini golf

  • Golf

  • Badminton

You can also invent your own games.

The goal isn't necessarily competition.

The goal is movement, laughter and time together.

Outdoor Photography Adventures

Give your niece or nephew a phone or camera appropriate for their age and create a photography challenge.

Try prompts like:

Find the most interesting tree.

Take a photo of something tiny.

Capture your favorite color.

Find the best reflection.

Take a picture that tells a story.

Photograph something nobody else notices.

You could make this an ongoing tradition and create a shared album of your adventures.

Free Outdoor Activities

Some of the best outdoor activities cost absolutely nothing.

Try:

  • Visiting a park

  • Taking a nature walk

  • Stargazing

  • Having a picnic

  • Playing outdoor games

  • Going on a scavenger hunt

  • Watching the sunset

  • Cloud watching

  • Exploring your neighborhood

  • Playing with sidewalk chalk

  • Bird watching

  • Gardening

  • Hiking local trails

  • Taking a photography walk

You don't need a ticket to have an adventure.

Budget-Friendly Outdoor Activities

Want to get outside without spending much?

Try:

  • Pack a picnic

  • Visit a free park

  • Go hiking

  • Ride bikes

  • Explore a new neighborhood

  • Have a backyard campout

  • Go fishing where permitted

  • Visit a free community event

  • Stargaze

  • Take nature photos

  • Create a scavenger hunt

  • Play backyard games

  • Garden together

Pack food from home and turn the outing itself into the experience.

Outdoor Activities for a Weekend

If you have an entire Saturday or Sunday together, create a simple adventure.

Morning

Go hiking, biking or explore a park.

Lunch

Pack a picnic or find a casual place to eat.

Afternoon

Try a new activity, visit another location or play a sport.

Evening

Watch the sunset, have dinner or go stargazing.

You don't need to fill every minute.

Leave room for the unexpected.

Sometimes the best part of the day is the stop you didn't plan.

Seasonal Outdoor Activities

Spring Outdoor Activities

Spring is perfect for exploring nature.

Try:

  • Nature walks

  • Gardening

  • Flower photography

  • Hiking

  • Picnics

  • Bike rides

  • Bird watching

  • Outdoor scavenger hunts

  • Farmers markets

  • Exploring parks

[Explore Spring Activities →]

Summer Outdoor Activities

Summer is made for getting outside.

Try:

  • Beach days

  • Camping

  • Hiking

  • Biking

  • Fishing

  • Water play

  • Picnics

  • Outdoor movies

  • Road trips

  • Stargazing

  • Outdoor sports

  • Backyard camping

[Explore Summer Activities →]

Fall Outdoor Activities

Cooler weather makes fall a great time for outdoor adventures.

Try:

  • Hiking

  • Leaf collecting

  • Nature photography

  • Pumpkin picking

  • Apple picking

  • Fall festivals

  • Football games

  • Camping

  • Scenic drives

  • Outdoor picnics

[Explore Fall Activities →]

Winter Outdoor Activities

Depending on where you live, winter can offer a completely different kind of adventure.

Try:

  • Winter walks

  • Snow play

  • Sledding

  • Holiday light tours

  • Nature photography

  • Winter hiking where appropriate

  • Outdoor games

  • Stargazing

  • Scenic drives

  • Cozy outdoor picnics

[Explore Winter Activities →]

Make Outdoor Adventures a Tradition

The best outdoor activity doesn't have to be a one-time event.

Turn it into something you do again and again.

Maybe you:

Hike a new trail every month.

Have an annual camping trip.

Go fishing every summer.

Take a yearly beach day.

Have a spring picnic.

Go stargazing every August.

Explore one new park each season.

Take an annual photo together outdoors.

Traditions give kids something to look forward to.

And as they grow, you can let them help decide what the tradition becomes.

You Don't Have to Go Far to Find Adventure

One of the biggest misconceptions about outdoor activities is that you need to travel somewhere spectacular.

You don't.

Adventure can happen:

In your backyard.

At a neighborhood park.

On a local walking trail.

At the beach.

On your front porch.

Under the stars.

At a nearby playground.

The location matters less than the experience.

A child who gets to explore the world with a trusted aunt, uncle, Funcle or Fauntie isn't thinking about how far you traveled.

They're thinking:

"This is fun."

Safety Comes First

Outdoor adventures should always be appropriate for the child's age, abilities, the environment and the conditions.

Before heading out, consider:

  • Weather

  • Heat and sun exposure

  • Water safety

  • Trail conditions

  • Appropriate clothing

  • Hydration

  • Food and snacks

  • First-aid supplies

  • Protective equipment

  • Supervision

  • Local rules and regulations

For activities such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating or water activities, choose experiences that match the child's experience and abilities.

The goal is adventure, not unnecessary risk.

The Best Outdoor Adventure Is Time Together

You don't need the perfect trail.

You don't need expensive camping gear.

You don't need an epic vacation.

You don't need to catch the biggest fish.

You don't even need good weather every time.

You just need a little time together.

Go outside.

Explore.

Ask questions.

Try something new.

Get a little dirty.

Laugh when things don't go according to plan.

And make memories that your niece or nephew can carry with them long after the adventure is over.

Never Forget to Play.

More Ways to Find Your Next Activity

By Age

[Activities for Ages 2–4 →]
[Activities for Ages 4–6 →]
[Activities for Ages 6–8 →]
[Activities for Ages 8–10 →]
[Activities for Tweens →]
[Activities for Teens →]

By Type

[Indoor Activities →]
[Outdoor Activities →]
[Educational Activities →]
[Creative Activities →]
[Adventure Activities →]
[Free Activities →]
[Budget-Friendly Activities →]
[Travel Activities →]
[Food & Cooking Activities →]
[Arts & Crafts Activities →]

By Season

[Spring Activities →]
[Summer Activities →]
[Fall Activities →]
[Winter Activities →]

By Occasion

[Birthday Activities →]
[Christmas Activities →]
[Halloween Activities →]
[First Day of School Activities →]
[Summer Vacation Activities →]
[Rainy Day Activities →]